We've been going round in circles: Tube map adds to journey times

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Dan Newling12 April 2012

Passengers have called for a system of dots representing distance to be introduced on the London Tube map to help plan their journeys.

Research has shown that up to 30 per cent of people using Harry Beck's map end up taking longer than they need because the map ignores above-ground distances between stations.

In a new study called Mind the Map, New York University professor of urban planning Zhan Guo compared the journeys made by Tube passengers with routes the travel time data showed they "should" have made.

He compared the journey between Bond Street and Paddington stations - a trip with two potential routes, the first via Baker Street and the second through Notting Hill Gate.

The second route is slower, but about 30 per cent of travellers chose it. He wrote: "Passengers often (mis)trust a transit map more than their actual experience; they often take a path that looks shorter on the system map but is longer in reality."

Jason Perks, 40, visiting London from Dubai, said: "It's deceptive because sometimes it looks very far between Tube stations when they're right next to each other. Dots to indicate speed and distance on the map would help." But student Georgia Coates, 21, said: "It's a bit confusing.

I normally calculate the fastest route by the number of stops. I have no idea what would make it simpler." Yasmin Bemath, 42, from Kent, said: "They should have more codes. I'm not sure people are that bothered about distance - as long as the trains are running on time they're happy."

The map that messes with reality

Professor Zhan Guo used the journey from Paddington to Bond Street station, shown, to demonstrate one of the problems with the Tube map.

In his book Notes from a Small Island, author Bill Bryson suggested a slightly more fun version: take tourists to Bank station and tell them to make their way by Tube to Mansion House.

While they are following Harry Beck's map - which involves going by Central line to Liverpool Street, then transferring to the Circle line and going five stops - you can have breakfast and do a little light shopping before walking the 200 feet or so along Victoria Street to meet them at, yes, Mansion House. Or try Temple to Aldwych - hours of fun!

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